KARACHI: Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) President Saleem-uz-Zaman said in a statement that it is not right to impose all the gas shortfall only on Karachi industries. The shortfall should be distributed to other parts of the country as well. The government’s decision to shut down industries’ gas is a very inappropriate move. This decision will have a very negative impact on Karachi’s industry and the country’s economy, he said.
The federal government and SSGC officials should take immediate notice of the situation and resolve the problem facing the industries of Karachi and issue orders to restore the supply gas to the industries on an emergency basis. President KATI said that industrial production process was being severely affected due to non-supply of gas to industries and reduction in gas pressure.
However, in the current situation, the country cannot afford the negative impact on industrial production due to reduction in gas pressure and disruption in energy supply.
Saleem-uz-Zaman further added that it was not right to suspend gas supply to industries on a single notice.
The move has raised serious concerns among industrialists. Overcoming the gas crisis is the responsibility of the government and SSGC officials, he added.
Saleem-uz-Zaman also mentioned that this act was tantamount to an economic assassination of Karachi. COVID-19 epidemic had already hit industrial production hard. This has significantly reduced the production of products for local needs and exports.
Saleem-uz-Zaman said such decisions would completely destroy Karachi’s industries, in the current situation, the gas crisis will lead to a rise in unemployment in Karachi, the country’s economic hub, and a severe blow to the economy.